Changes to My Health Record

Important changes to the Australian Governments My Health Record system

From October 9, 2025, new laws mean more health information that was until now, typically not shared by default like HIV serology, will be automatically added to My Health Record (MHR). Changes include:

  • Most pathology reports (such as blood and urine tests) will be uploaded straight away to My Health Record for individuals and their doctors to view in My Health Record. This will include HIV serology, like viral load tests.
  • Some results – including anatomical pathology, cytopathology and genetic testing – will appear after a 5-day delay (this is reduced from the previous 7 days).
  • From 2026 (exact date still to be confirmed), all test results will be uploaded to My Health Record by default, with penalties for providers who fail to do so.
  • This will only apply to future tests and results, not those from the past.              

It is important to note, your My Health Record is private and only accessible by you and the healthcare professionals involved in your care. Access is strictly monitored, and your record cannot be viewed by anyone other than your healthcare providers.While many people living with HIV appreciate and benefit from a collective record across their different healthcare providers, some may have privacy concerns and this change may impact them. Remember, you have full control over what’s uploaded and who can access your information.

Healthcare providers delivering pathology and diagnostic imaging tests (such as blood tests and x-rays) will be required to upload reports to My Health Record by default. Test results will be uploaded unless the individual asks at the time of testing for them not to be uploaded. However, people living with HIV need to be aware that requests to withhold results must be made at the time the test is ordered if they do not wish for them to be uploaded to their My Health Record

Control your My Health Record access

  1. If you don’t yet have a record
  • When the system was originally set up (in 2018–2019), there was a one-off national opt-out period.
  • If you missed that, and you don’t currently have a record, you can still choose not to create one when interacting with healthcare providers or government services.
  1. If you already have a record

You can’t fully “delete” an existing record, but you can cancel it:

  • Log in to My Health Record via MyGov
  • Go to: Menu  Profile & Settings → Cancel My Health Record
  • Follow the steps to cancel.
  • Cancelling means your record becomes inaccessible to healthcare providers. Some data may still be securely retained by the system (for legal and auditing purposes), but it will no longer be available to view or update.
  1. Restricting access instead of cancelling

If you don’t want to cancel completely, you can:

  • Set access controls (decide which healthcare providers can or can’t see your record).
  • Use a Record Access Code or Limited Document Access Code for tighter control.

How to set a Record Access Code:

  • Go to: Privacy & Access → Healthcare Organisation Access
  • Follow the steps to set your record access code.

How to remove or restrict access to specific documents:

  • Go to: Privacy & Access → Document Access
  • Select the information you would like to restrict.
  1. Other ways to cancel
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